Desensitising to cattle

[Jinx94]

Trying to figure out the best way to desensitise Tris to cattle.

Having been caught out on multiple occasions (thankfully not with him) by seemingly empty fields actually containing a sizeable herd (to my eyes!), I want to get him as solid as possible so that when we get out and about more, we don't suddenly have an issue. I can't always sit his spins and really don't fancy landing on the floor if we've just upset some rather hefty livestock.

I would love to be able to turn him out with some horse-friendly cows, but he gets low grade laminitis as soon as he's on any kind of grass we do have a bridleway running through a herd of bullocks, I took Arya through there years ago not knowing that they were in the field. Turned out that no one used that route due to the herd being a bit boisterous and people being concerned about the reactions of their horses.

Am I bonkers to consider taking Tris through on foot? Is it madness to lead a horse through cattle? He takes so much confidence from me when being lead that I do think it's the best way to teach him to cope with scary things but at the same time, I want to make sure I completely understand how dangerous it could be. I'd like to think that the cattle must be reasonably safe to have been left on the bridleway - I've certainly not heard of any injuries/fatalities caused by that lot

He's coping now with cattle on the other side of a fence, so we're certainly making progress.

 

[SpeedyPony]

Can you ride with another horse that's solid with cattle? That way he has the confidence of a lead and you're a bit safer on board, although being on a ROW the cattle should be well used to pedestrians anyway.

 

[Jinx94]

No one at our yard is willing to go through cattle, but I can ask around in case there's anyone local!

Have seen a few adverts on fb for cattle work clinics, which I've wondered about, unfortunately no tow car atm. Full weekend lorry hire plus fuel is going to cost a decent chunk (with no guarantee he'll get on the truck - trailers good, lorries bad), but I should be able to get it saved over a few months.

 

[Gloi]

Is there anywhere you can find to turn him out with a muzzle on in a field next to the one with the cows?

 

[Jinx94]

Is there anywhere you can find to turn him out with a muzzle on in a field next to the one with the cows?

Turn out, yes. Catch again without the use of a dart gun or a black ops team? ..might be a struggle!

Am trying to get permission from the yo to lunge in the field next to their cattle. Need to be a bit more persuasive though! In the meantime, I'll keep introducing Tris to them over a fence.

 

[SEL]

My smallest cob spent 6 months next to cattle. She never settled at that end of the field even though I'd catch her standing (hiding!) behind a tree staring at them. We've got young cows in a field just by a nasty road junction & I'm having to dismount to make sure we don't end up on the road.

Otherwise as bombproof as they get but I can't seem to cattle proof.

I did have to get off to walk her through a field once but I could see they were all asleep so it felt safe-ish. If they'd been the nosey type I think I would have turned round.

 

[rabatsa]

Go on a cattle herding course, Guy Robertson does them but I am sure that there are other people around the country that also put them on. The horse learns to move cattle and so becomes brave when faced with them.

 

[LouisCat]

I think it's very dependent on the horse. Mine spent a year on a yard with cattle, used to see them and chat with them everyday but has never got used to cattle anywhere else. I'd be fully with your other liveries on refusing to ride through cos I don't want to die!! It does limit my hacking options but the younger cows are very interested and keen and will surround you which isn't for me!

Anyway, absolutely useless reply, sorry! Just make sure you'll be safe!

 

[Jellymoon]

Can you find somewhere where he can meet cattle but the other side of the fence?
I’ve got lots of fields around us where I can do this in hand, or I lead off a safe horse, and take them to meet them. Normally we just stand and watch them. But sometimes they come over for a sniff which is even better.
I wouldn’t lead a horse in hand into a field with cattle in (too dangerous for you) and I wouldn’t just turn a horse out alone with a herd of cattle, might be terrifying for the poor horse. But maybe with a solid friend and a small group of docile cattle could work.
Fwiw, I have ended up having to ride through fields of cattle unexpectedly on young horses, and it’s always gone surprisingly well. They don’t seem to be all that terrified of them. We survived!
Cattle herding course is a fab idea.

 

[ThreeFurs]

Trying to figure out the best way to desensitise Tris to cattle.

Having been caught out on multiple occasions (thankfully not with him) by seemingly empty fields actually containing a sizeable herd (to my eyes!), I want to get him as solid as possible so that when we get out and about more, we don't suddenly have an issue. I can't always sit his spins and really don't fancy landing on the floor if we've just upset some rather hefty livestock.

I would love to be able to turn him out with some horse-friendly cows, but he gets low grade laminitis as soon as he's on any kind of grass we do have a bridleway running through a herd of bullocks, I took Arya through there years ago not knowing that they were in the field. Turned out that no one used that route due to the herd being a bit boisterous and people being concerned about the reactions of their horses.

Am I bonkers to consider taking Tris through on foot? Is it madness to lead a horse through cattle? He takes so much confidence from me when being lead that I do think it's the best way to teach him to cope with scary things but at the same time, I want to make sure I completely understand how dangerous it could be. I'd like to think that the cattle must be reasonably safe to have been left on the bridleway - I've certainly not heard of any injuries/fatalities caused by that lot

He's coping now with cattle on the other side of a fence, so we're certainly making progress.

Hi,

I had a cattle-phobic gelding too ; a big tall wb/ so when he spun it was centrifugal! Also had another wb, with a dread fear of alpacas!

But no, I would never lead a horse through cattle, especially cattle I didn't know, especially without the farmer with me, and especially without knowing what the horse was going to do.

If I had an Australian stock horse that spent it days from age 3 working stock, that's a different story.

 

[paddy555]

Turn out, yes. Catch again without the use of a dart gun or a black ops team? ..might be a struggle!

Am trying to get permission from the yo to lunge in the field next to their cattle. Need to be a bit more persuasive though! In the meantime, I'll keep introducing Tris to them over a fence.

I live next to moorland with dozens of loose cows. To get out of my gate we often have to push through half a dozen cows just to get up the road. Any youngster who isn't used to them I pen in the yard next to the road with some hay and they have no choice but to stay there as loose cattle walk past the gate. As they get braver the hay goes nearer to the gate and then they just put their heads over and sniff noses with the cows until they ignore them. Lunging as above is a good idea. Also can you make a pen, half a dozen electric stakes and some tape, next to the cows. Then feed hay. Just leave the horse there to get used to them.
Do it for several days so it becomes boring.

I lead youngsters around the road (and long rein) through loose cattle with no problems but I am not sure I would lead through a field of young cattle. Not much margin for error. If the horse pulls away and you loose him you are left trying to catch him with yourself chasing around the cattle. If he is startled by the cows and you come off you are vulnerable. Best to train the horse in some other way I think.

Go on a cattle herding course, Guy Robertson does them but I am sure that there are other people around the country that also put them on. The horse learns to move cattle and so becomes brave when faced with them.

Something like this would be good, especially if there is a trainer to take over if you get a bit wobbly to start with.

Horses work well with going through cattle as you simply get aggressive and drive them away. With a dog or on foot you are at the mercy of the cattle but on a horse you are a lot safer as you can easily drive them. Horses love driving cows. It's fun. It doesn't take long for them to take charge. I lead youngsters up the road behind cattle and tell them "send "em on, send 'em on" It doesn't take very long for them to seek out this wonderful new game..

If at all possible get to a clinic or find a local friendly farmer preferably one whose wife rides and see if they can help. If they have some cattle yarded they may let you put your horse next to them.

 

[Jinx94]

I live next to moorland with dozens of loose cows. To get out of my gate we often have to push through half a dozen cows just to get up the road. Any youngster who isn't used to them I pen in the yard next to the road with some hay and they have no choice but to stay there as loose cattle walk past the gate. As they get braver the hay goes nearer to the gate and then they just put their heads over and sniff noses with the cows until they ignore them. Lunging as above is a good idea. Also can you make a pen, half a dozen electric stakes and some tape, next to the cows. Then feed hay. Just leave the horse there to get used to them.
Do it for several days so it becomes boring.

I lead youngsters around the road (and long rein) through loose cattle with no problems but I am not sure I would lead through a field of young cattle. Not much margin for error. If the horse pulls away and you loose him you are left trying to catch him with yourself chasing around the cattle. If he is startled by the cows and you come off you are vulnerable. Best to train the horse in some other way I think.


Something like this would be good, especially if there is a trainer to take over if you get a bit wobbly to start with.

Horses work well with going through cattle as you simply get aggressive and drive them away. With a dog or on foot you are at the mercy of the cattle but on a horse you are a lot safer as you can easily drive them. Horses love driving cows. It's fun. It doesn't take long for them to take charge. I lead youngsters up the road behind cattle and tell them "send "em on, send 'em on" It doesn't take very long for them to seek out this wonderful new game..

If at all possible get to a clinic or find a local friendly farmer preferably one whose wife rides and see if they can help. If they have some cattle yarded they may let you put your horse next to them.

Herding is how we got over his sheep issues - we were on a yard where sheep kept going under a gate into the xc field, so we pushed them back. It worked a bit too well as we had a very funny, albeit slightly awkward moment with him taking off toward a loose pair from halfway up the field.

Will get to work finding another friendly farmer

 

[Exasperated]

I live next to moorland with dozens of loose cows. To get out of my gate we often have to push through half a dozen cows just to get up the road. Any youngster who isn't used to them I pen in the yard next to the road with some hay and they have no choice but to stay there as loose cattle walk past the gate. As they get braver the hay goes nearer to the gate and then they just put their heads over and sniff noses with the cows until they ignore them. Lunging as above is a good idea. Also can you make a pen, half a dozen electric stakes and some tape, next to the cows. Then feed hay. Just leave the horse there to get used to them.
Do it for several days so it becomes boring.

I lead youngsters around the road (and long rein) through loose cattle with no problems but I am not sure I would lead through a field of young cattle. Not much margin for error. If the horse pulls away and you loose him you are left trying to catch him with yourself chasing around the cattle. If he is startled by the cows and you come off you are vulnerable. Best to train the horse in some other way I think.


Something like this would be good, especially if there is a trainer to take over if you get a bit wobbly to start with.

Horses work well with going through cattle as you simply get aggressive and drive them away. With a dog or on foot you are at the mercy of the cattle but on a horse you are a lot safer as you can easily drive them. Horses love driving cows. It's fun. It doesn't take long for them to take charge. I lead youngsters up the road behind cattle and tell them "send "em on, send 'em on" It doesn't take very long for them to seek out this wonderful new game..

If at all possible get to a clinic or find a local friendly farmer preferably one whose wife rides and see if they can help. If they have some cattle yarded they may let you put your horse next to them.

These are really sensible, helpful techniques.
Ideally, turn him and a sensible pony in to graze with boisterous cattle, so he gets used to and bored with any jostling - but the ‘herding course’ would be great. He needs to become confident to push (any) livestock back. Generally, once horses have realised they can do that, they become quite keen on doing it! Most horse training involves humans determining their space, not horses establishing and directing others.
Riding through with another which already has that confidence - super, if you can find someone.
Given what you’ve described, I’d strongly caution against leading this horse through these bullocks.
Good luck